Orcon+ Network Launched (LLU)

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Orcon+ Network Launched (LLU)

1 | ... | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

248 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#122036 8-Apr-2008 10:37

This whole scenario sounds unusual. It could be that we just made a mistake in this case, however I have emailed CatJ in the hopes that she will help us out looking into this.

I will report back for the Geekzoners if I am able to get to the bottom of this.

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#122039 8-Apr-2008 10:50

webwat: It cant be that Xtra have priority access push their own customers to the top of waiter queues. That would a very serious accusation if it could be proven, so I think you should contact Orcon with as much information as possible so they can take action if its warranted. This is precisely the type of practise that Telecom's new Chorus and Wholesale divisions were setup to prevent, and it should not be possible for Telecom Retail to overide systems that are presumably designed to give fair access to the network for all providers. I would be interested if anyone with Telecom experience chose to comment on the service order system.

I also think its quite likely that another 48 hours would have seen Telecom connect Orcon customers at the same time as its own. Was it waiting for available ADSL ports or street wiring? It would be worth investigating though.

I wouldn't go that far. The online process is totally automated, and as such the request would have been sent to Telecom Wholesale / Chorus for completion. The Telecom website will just follow BAU processes, so I highly doubt anything illegal has occurred here.

Orcon just need to ensure they do things right the first time around. At $2000, I would have run away also!

nzbnw

JohndNZ

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#122608 10-Apr-2008 17:16

As posted on page 7 thought would give all a show of the instant difference from speed test after the shift to ORCON:
------------------------------------------------------------

Xtra Connection around 5.16 on a friday

Orcon results to follow(after 10/04/08).. bit of a long waiting time considering we signed up on 23/03/08 but i'm sure they are busy as...!

10 APR 08 Orcon Results::: 5pm

richms

28037 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#122612 10-Apr-2008 17:31

You are comparing a constrained upstream to a full upstream plan, which is meaningless, we know the 128k up will have issues going over 4 megs, as it is well documented that is about the limit for a single tcp connection.

Richard rich.ms

JohndNZ

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#122736 11-Apr-2008 06:45

..... ok well sorry for giving an end user look what i can aparently get now comparison - - - was unaware of how "documented" the thingy you said was..

here are my raw "status" comparrisons note reduced Noise and Increased sync....

ORCON===

Item	Downstream	Upstream	Unit
SNR Margin	6	6	dB
Line Attenuation	25	12	dB
Data Rate	17765	1016	kbps

XTRA===

Item	Downstream	Upstream	Unit
SNR Margin	12	-13	dB
Line Attenuation	28	14	dB
Data Rate	12300	165	kbps

So for me the extra 4gig and the extra speed is well worth the extra 10$ along with all the extra phone options. still not cheap as chips but its a speedy service and good to be on something new.

Cheers
JD

mattosaur4

40 posts

Geek

#122785 11-Apr-2008 09:58

Hi Duncan

Was wondering if the Orcon team could look at better displaying this new BroadBand information. As per a few others on first glance it appeared if I wanted to have my phone with Orcon I had to choose Platinum or Gold which are quite a bit dearer than our current plans due to the phone based extras.

Even after realising Purple is what I'm looking for, I went in to look at my options and it doesn't show full pricing or the totals after you choose options on that 2nd page & page 3 wants all your account & address details it kind of implies at this point it's going to commit you to something. As you can't go back to an old plan I'm reluctant to fill that out to see if a total is displayed on the next page.

It would be really good to have a "Plan Builder" like the old one back on the Broadband page. Specifically here - http://www.orcon.net.nz/broadband/ that requires "no Login or Phone or Address to be entered" (reality is 99% of the country isnt on the those 5 exchanges in Auckland so Orcon@Home info should be up top and the default option until it becomes more widespread) I can't even see the Orcon@Home full options without entering a ph number or address. With this plan builder you should be able to choose all and any options tick whether your a customer or not and a running updated total is always showed. Most of us "like to shop" for Broadband plans & often don't have phone #'s / addresses on hand when someone asks for broadband plan advice.

Thanks
Matt

duncanblair

248 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#122820 11-Apr-2008 12:37

Hi Matt,

Fair points, will take that on board and kick it around with the team a bit here.

With the number checker we needed to build it in anticipation of what is going to happen over the next few months. The rate at which we are opening up exchanges is goign to speed up, so more customers will be eligible. We want to make sure that it is clear who can get what.

But agreed - think we could make it a bit clearer what you can get in each of the @Home pacakges.

Thanks for the feedback!

mattosaur4

40 posts

Geek

#122846 11-Apr-2008 13:18

Thanks Duncan

Fair enough to future proof it, but at the least the current plan builder/option page you get after entering an address or number should be available by clicking a link along the lines of
"I know I'm on a Orcon+ Exchange show me the Orcon+@Home Plans / Pricing"
or
"I know I'm not on a Orcon+ Exchange show me the Ocron@Home Plans / Pricing"

Am I safe to click Continue on Page 2 after it shows up my details to check Plan Costs? I.e is there a final Review and Submit page as this isn't clear and some ordering systems don't have it and at some point it just says "Thanks your Order has been accepted etc.. " without the last chance to check it all.

Thanks
Matt

duncanblair

248 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#122852 11-Apr-2008 13:40

Hi Matt,

Yes you are safe to continue through the wizard, there is a final step with a 'Submit this order now' type button at the bottom.

The problem with customers saying "I know I am in an Orcon+ area/not in an Orcon+ area" is that people really don't know. The maps we provide are indicative only.

Even if they are in the area it is not guaranteed that we can provide LLU because of cabinetisation. We want to avoid getting people excited about getting onto LLU when we can't deliver it.

Phone number (or address) are really the only (close to) definitive ways to tell if a customer can get Orcon+ service or not.

I realise this is not ideal, but we are working within the constraints that we have. No doubt we wiill get smarter and figure out better ways to do this over time, particularly with helpful feedback from people like you :)

We do give a high level overview of the plans before you enter your phone number, and will work on making that more descriptive.

mattosaur4

40 posts

Geek

#122867 11-Apr-2008 14:41

More descriptive sounds good.

As for my "I know..." links, I'm more meaning just being able to view the the options and all their details and pricing (regardless of where you live, i.e. more descriptive as you've said)

More accurate would be.

"I just want to look at the full details and options of the Orcon@Home Plans"

"I just want to look at the full details and options of the Orcon+@Home Plans"

My query derives from a current Ticket with the HelpDesk about Lag, Lag, Lag Disconnecting from US Ventrillo voice servers, the Tech said ZeroShock may give such issues and to look at the new plans, which I found a little hard to work out. Also I'm pretty sure game and voice traffic gets a high priorty so I'm waiting to here back as I don't think plan switching will solve it.

Thanks
Matt

tbnz

67 posts

Master Geek

#122934 11-Apr-2008 19:41

Don't do it!!!

I joined up to the Orcon+ network about two weeks ago, it's been a nightmare ever since. Constant problems, two weeks of voice mail taking messages without being able to listen to them, strange phone ring, no internet every second evening (around 4pm to 2am) etc ... Wait 6 months then sign up.

I'm guessing they are using the 'no slots in the carpark' excuse because they don't want to sign up anymore people until they have sorted the shambles of the LLU rollout.

To be fair, when it's going, i get a 16119 kbps connection to the exchange and speed test gives me some good results:

This at 7:38pm tonight!

manhinli

2483 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#122936 11-Apr-2008 19:51

Just one other thing with the site: http://www.orcon.net.nz/progress/

Clicking on Blockhouse Bay (under the upcoming exchanges) flies the map off to the west coast of Raglan, Hamilton. Every other link is fine.

Find me on Twitter!

I posted 1, 2 x 10^3 times!

mattosaur4

40 posts

Geek

#123018 12-Apr-2008 11:09

I live in Dunedin so Orcon+ is a long way off, they were referring to just the new regular plans. I'm currently on ZeroShock and have found it fine for the most part, except for slow / laggy international connections at times. I'm not really concerned with Orcon+ speeds just latency for my online gaming.

Matt

JohndNZ

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#123198 13-Apr-2008 15:30

I have to say i've been a bit dissapointed with Orcon - Not there customer service - just the niggly little teathing problems thats been occuring -

I know its a new service to us all - and internet is on.. NOW howerever here is what i've been through - aside from the negatives - i like the speed :) :)

got connected on Thur - was working even with my old Xtra password -
i entered my orcon user name and PW into router - save n reboot - no internet...

teething problems - call up - helpfull staff.

Friday internet on - all good
I go to do another router save and reboot (mucking around with ports n stuff) ... no internet - ..
call up - helpful staff says "glenfield exchange is having a problem with a few connections" when asked in passing how many.. not sure but by the number of people I've talked to(the operator) quite a few - elevated to level two.. they'll check it tomorrow...
sat - no internt....
ring to advise still no internet,, get a chick that i honestly couldnt understand due accent --(seperate little gripe i have with NZ operators - should speak english clearly... ) anyway got told they're looking at it. ..

Sunday.. wake up - check if its workign yet.. nope.. call up get a kiwi bloke thats easy to understand- no fustration.. but learn that the tier 2 team dont work on the weekend so will sort it out for me on monday(would have been nice to know on friday night when it went down...)
anyway he tries to do a server reset and cant due them working on the lines or somethig - fair enough - gives me a call back on mobile in <30 min so was pretty happy with that.

then home this afternoon - open up IE in the hope that it might be working and hey presto.. yippe:)

hope this remains going.. as long as router stays going.. shoudl stay connected.. fingers crossed./

nothing Bad to say just annoying it happened and the timing for me was poo..

Still a fast and effective service - when i'm connected.:)

JD

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#124215 16-Apr-2008 22:48

JohndNZ:
..... ok well sorry for giving an end user look what i can aparently get now comparison - - - was unaware of how "documented" the thingy you said was..

here are my raw "status" comparrisons note reduced Noise and Increased sync....

ORCON===
Item
Downstream
Upstream
Unit
SNR Margin
6
6
dB
Line Attenuation
25
12
dB
Data Rate
17765
1016
kbps
XTRA===
Item
Downstream
Upstream
Unit
SNR Margin
12
-13
dB
Line Attenuation
28
14
dB
Data Rate
12300
165
kbps

So for me the extra 4gig and the extra speed is well worth the extra 10$ along with all the extra phone options. still not cheap as chips but its a speedy service and good to be on something new.

Cheers
JD

You do not have reduced noise at all, you have reduced noise margin. That means the signal strength is less powerful compared to the noise level, and probably would need to slow down to get a clearer signal. I expect you would have frequent drop offs if the noise margin varies much, and you might have intermittent laggy traffic due to CRC errors. Noise itself will not change much because most of the noise source will be in street/house wiring that has not changed despite the wiring changes at the exchange. This is probably still being tweaked and may improve, but you should let them know.

About the $2000 install cost, i heard that some rural subscribers had been offered ADSL if local residents contributed $2000 to installing additional ADSL equipment into the street cabinet. I imagine that anyone who demands to be connected to non-existent equipment might be offered a similar deal to speed up the rollout of new equipment. If I am ever asked to pass on such an offer I would deliver it with a rock-sized grain of salt and recommend the user look at any wireless options around.

Time to find a new industry!

1 | ... | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10